Stalemate by the Sea

Blackpool 0:0 Leicester City

This was a dour contest between two out-of-form sides on a pitch that resembled a cabbage patch and whilst City may feel they did enough to win, the truth is that neither side deserved all 3 points.

Nigel Pearson gave a debut to new loan signing, Harry Kane (who bears a striking resemblance to Chris Wood from a distance by the way) and played three up front with Knoackaert making way for Kane. The only other change was Andy King back for the injured Matty James. City started well and were playing a lot of football in Blackpool’s half but with no real end product and it was becoming clear early on that the pitch was going to be a problem. It cut up very badly and there seemed to be more sand on the pitch than the nearby beach. The afternoon was punctuated with sliced passes, poor control and simple balls going astray; the beautiful game it wasn’t!

Kasper Schmeichel saved early on from Taylor-Fletcher who seemed certain to score from close in before Harry Kane brightened up the half with a stunning first-time shot out of nowhere that Gilks did well to keep out. Soon after Ben Marshall has Gilks scrambling across his goal with a run and an effort that hit the side netting. It was Blackpool who finished the half stronger when a superb double save from Schmeichel kept out a lob from Tom Ince and the follow up from Eardley.

The second half opened with City on the front foot and a gift penalty gave them the opportunity to open the scoring. Kane was chasing a loose ball out of the area when Eardley inexplicably bundled him over for a stonewall penalty. Up stepped Chris Wood who opted to drive the penalty kick straight down the middle but sadly on to the bar and in to the crowd. If that wasn’t bad enough Wood’s afternoon worsened after he missed a simple chance to make amends a few minutes later. Lloyd Dyer (on for Marshall) cut the ball back across goal for the big Kiwi who scuffed his effort wide from 6 yards with the goal yawning at him. Wood’s hat-trick of near misses was completed with 10 minutes remaining when his header from a long ball was tipped over by Gilks. At the other end the City defence was on top and the hosts were restricted to long-range efforts and set-pieces which were dealt with comfortably by Schmeichel who was in commanding form.

The final whistle brought a merciful end to a poor match but special mention for Tom Ince. Amid the players struggling to cope with the awful pitch was a lad with real class who rose above it and showed why there is so much interest in him right now. He even took the inevitable chants from City fans in his stride (‘Daddy’s boy’ and ‘He’s not your real dad’) and got on with a classy performance.

A not so special mention for Blackpool F.C. stewards who ruined the afternoon for countless travelling fans today. It was a classic case of fools in high vis jackets on a power trip. They were able to create trouble where there was none and a procession of fans were ejected for no good reason as these idiots continually created conflict and tension amongst a good-natured, trouble-free travelling support.

Blackpool: Gilks, Baptiste, Cathcart, Broadfoot, Crainey, Eardley, Ferguson, Basham, Ince, Taylor-Fletcher (Delfouneso 72), Phillips (Derbyshire 80). Subs Not Used: Halstead, Wabara, Grandin, Sylvestre, Martinez.
Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Keane, Morgan, Konchesky, Marshall (Knockaert 73), King, Drinkwater, Kane (Vardy 79), Nugent (Dyer 61), Wood. Subs Not Used: Logan, Whitbread, Gallagher, Wellens.

Referee: Simon Hooper. Attendance: 14,509. 

 

Reshuffled Leicester beat League Leaders Blackpool

Leicester City 1:0 Blackpool

City went into the international break with a much-needed win after defeating league-leaders Blackpool at the KPS on Saturday evening.

Nigel Pearson had an early problem to deal with against an Ian Holloway side with maximum points from their opening three games.  De Laet injured himself in the pre-match warm-up, which saw St Ledger promoted from the bench and Waghorn dragged away from his pre-match meal.

City dominated the game for much of the first half.
Vardy broke through early on but placed his shot too close to keeper Gilks, and then Gilks had to be alert to keep out a low shot from Marshall.
Dyer also flashed a shot over the bar when well placed.
Gilks then tipped a Marshall free-kick round his left hand upright at full stretch.
Late in the half Blackpool managed to get their passing game together and created a few chances. Taylor-Fletcher sent a long-ranger narrowly over the bar; Ince scuffed a weak effort when well placed; and then Ferguson sent a thumping volley against the right hand post.

But City regained their ascendancy in the second half. They built up a head of steam and a series of penalty claims led to increasing pressure on referee Michael Jones from a raucous crowd.
Vardy appeared to have been shoved over in the box but Jones waved play on. Then Dyer had his legs hooked from underneath him when about to shoot for a much stronger claim. King had the ball in the net, but Nugent was judged offside. So when Vardy ran across Gomes and got his foot trodden on in the 54th minute the roars for a penalty seemingly could not be ignored.
Although Gilks guessed right Marshall’s spot-kick was firmly struck home to give City the lead.
City had some defending to do after that. Schmeichel saved from Phillips and Ince had a chance before Nigel Pearson re-shuffled a pack short on defenders.
St Ledger was replaced by striker Schlupp who went to left-back, Konchesky moved to centre-half and Moore to right-back.
Although there appeared to be confusion in the City ranks for a while they managed to settle, and Dyer should have doubled the lead when his point blank shot on goal hit Baptiste.

Blackpool had an attacking spell late on but City’s makeshift defence, marshalled by an immense performance from Morgan, held out fairly comfortably for a vital win.

Nigel Pearson was happy: “I think the tempo of our game was very good, we dominated possession and we didn’t allow them to settle. Blackpool are a good footballing side and if you give them too much time on the ball they can hurt you, so the tempo was always going to be important. In general we were very positive in how we dealt with a side that have started the season very well.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, St Ledger (Schlupp 63), Morgan, Moore, Konchesky, Marshall (Knockaert 68), King, Drinkwater, Dyer (Beckford 77), Nugent, Vardy. Unused Subs: Logan, Waghorn, James, Futacs.

Blackpool: Gilks, Eardley, Baptiste, Cathcart, Crainey, Osbourne, Ferguson (K Phillips 71), Gomes (M Phillips 57), Ince, Dicko (Delfouneso 66), Taylor-Fletcher. Unused Subs: Halstead, Harris, Angel, Sylvestre.

 

Referee; Michael Jones (Cheshire). Attendance: 18,655 (558 away).

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City’s Play-Off Hopes Beached

Blackpool 3:3 Leicester City

City’s outside hopes of a late run into the play-off positions were dealt a near terminal blow on Wednesday night with a late goal for Blackpool rounding off a 3-3 draw…

Nigel Pearson brought Peltier and Drinkwater into the starting line-up for a game that City really had to win, but the contest got off to a turgid start.
Very little happened until the half hour mark when Nugent was tripped in the penalty area by Eardley for what looked like a nailed on penalty. The spot kick wasn’t awarded by referee Michaeil Naylor, and to add insult to injury a bemused Nugent was shown a yellow card for diving.
Three minutes later Phillips put Blackpool ahead, nodding home an Ince corner at the far post.
City were stung by the injustice of this and summoned up an equaliser within five minutes, Drinkwater sending Beckford through for a cool finish past Gilks.
Blackpool seemed to emerge from the tunnel with the greater purpose and the formerly underemployed Schmiechel had to be sharp to deny efforts from Taylor-Fletcher and Crainey.
But it was City who took a 54th minute lead when a slackly marked Nugent rose to nod home a Drinkwater corner.
City pushed on, trying to seal the game but Danns fired over when well placed.
With 20 minutes remaining the lumbering figure of Bednar, on as sub, showed a goalscoring prowess he hadn’t managed at Leicester, levelling matters with a low shot past Schmeichel after outpacing City’s defence.
But City weren’t giving up and three minutes later Marshall, just on as sub, set Beckford up for his second of the game, a downward header past Gilks.
Sadly City’s defending let them down yet again in time added on.
Phillips grabbing his second from a ball squared to him by Ince.
It was a cruel late blow for City, but a team that concedes readily so readily cannot expect to compete in the play-offs.

Blackpool: Gilks, Eardley (Bednar 65 (LuaLua 75)), Baptiste, Evatt, Crainey, Southern (Sylvestre 65), Taylor-Fletcher,Ferguson, M Phillips, K Phillips, Ince. Unused Subs: Cathcart, Dicko.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Peltier, Morgan, St Ledger, Konchesky, Danns, Drinkwater (Bamba 87), Wellens (Marshall 72), Dyer, Beckford, Nugent (Schlupp 88). Unused Subs: Howard, Kennedy.

Referee: Michael Naylor (South Yorkshire). Attendance: 12,485.
 

City Tower Over Blackpool

Leicester City 2:0 Blackpool

A decent performance against Blackpool at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night brought a 2-0 win and a place in the top six…

Pearson made one change to his side with Bamba returning for St Ledger, and after a minute’s applause in memory of Gary Speed, a tight first half commenced.
There were few chances in the opening half hour, until Schmeichel pulled off a superb close range save from a Taylor-Fletcher header.
At the other end Gilks bettered even that effort to deny Beckford’s first time shot from eight yards out.
It was City who broke the deadlock ten minutes before the break when Dyer threaded a perfect ball through to King who beat Gilks to put City ahead, later dedicating the goal to his late international boss Gary Speed.
City took that lead in at the break and looked the stronger side in the second half. Mills went close with a header and Gilks did well to block a Beckford well-struck shot on the turn from the edge of the area.
Howard and Danns came on for Beckford and Gallagher as Blackpool pushed forward in search of an equaliser. But the City defence stood firm and most of the chances came at the Kop end with Howard and Dyer going close and the energetic Nugent skimming both left and right hand uprights by a whisker.
City sealed the points in the 82nd minute when a defence splitting pass from Wellens sent Dyer through and he beat the advancing Gilks with a touch to Danns who lined up a 20 yarder that beat the backtracking defender.
Seven points from 9 and a place in the top six represented a fine start to Nigel Pearson’s second spell as City boss…

Leicester: Schmeichel, Peltier, Mills, Bamba, Konchesky, Gallagher (Danns 67), King, Wellens, Dyer (Fernandes 88), Beckford (Howard 67), Nugent. Unused Subs: Weale, Abe.
Blackpool: Gilks, Eardley, Baptiste (Basham 34), Evatt, Crainey, Ferguson, Sylvestre (McManaman 57), Shelvey, M Phillips, LuaLua (K Phillips 65), Taylor-Fletcher. Unused Subs: Howard, Ince.

Referee: Graham Scott (Oxfordshire). Attendance: 21,578.  

Lost In Translation – Player Power and ‘The List’

by that Truro off of Bentleys Roof…

I think the transfer window deals have been good for us with Abe and Waghorn in and Campbell out. Like most City fans, I wondered what would happen with the players that reportedly expressed a desire to leave, (reported as Wellens, Gallagher, Fryatt and Campbell [and Hobbs, and Morrison, and King, and Oakley...] as people speculated).
People were talking about them being “transfer listed” but there is no evidence that this was ever the case. For those who don’t know, “the list” is a real thing, not some euphemistic entity used by the tabloids like a “come and get me plea”.
“The List”, or “The PFA Transfer List” to give it it’s proper name, can be accessed by anyone and is used by managers and agents (among others) to see who’s freely available. In days of yore it was a great tool to publicly off-load unwanted players but these days it is generally used to dump kids who haven’t made the grade and aged journeymen, desperate for one last contract (Ade Akinibiyi’s on it to choose a fairly cruel example). The only Leicester player on “the list” is Alex Cisak, a young Polish/Australian goalkeeper.
Few players use “the list” to orchestrate a move these days as it will cost them loyalty bonuses etc. so it will only be those desperate to leave who will make such a public demonstration of their displeasure. In reality, amongst bigger transfers particularly, the list is used as a marketing tool; to apportion blame, show lack of loyalty or whatever might suit the situation.
If City had still not accepted Blackpool’s bids for Campbell at the 11th hour, he may have asked publicly to be transfer listed for two reasons:
1) To remove certain payments owed to him by Leicester – therefore making the deal more financially attractive to Leicester or
2) To overtly show that he no longer wished to play for City – effectively making it impossible for Sousa to pick him.
There will be few cases as transparent as that of Campbell, we all knew he was pining for the Seaside, but he (or his agent) played the game brilliantly – orchestrating the move with the maximum financial return.
Like many things with Sousa, the comments about some people wanting to leave were lost in translation. There are always players who are unhappy; Hobbs because he struggling with form, Oakley because he knows that fans don’t appreciate him, King, Gallagher, Neilson, N’Guessan and Fryatt haven’t been regular in the side while Wellens has never made the difference we all expected. To be honest, with the team at the foot of the table and Sousa’s methods not paying dividends, there won’t be many who AREN’T unhappy in one form or another, while players express a desire to leave far more often than we could ever imagine. Being a footballer is a transient existence at the best of times, and many of them are looking for the next big pay day in a pretty much constant basis, although this is easier if you happen to be an Ibrahimovic or an Adebayor.
My guess is that certain players “had it out” with Sousa, over the style, man management and confusing tactical direction. Let’s face it, he couldn’t be more different than Pearson if he tried, a manager who had the respect and admiration of the overwhelming majority of players, bought many of them (which creates a significant bond between player and manager) and whose style brought us very close to promotion.
So those that “went on the list” never did. They had a moan, and were probably ignored by Sousa, meanwhile we get rid of the Foxes failure that is Campbell, bring back Martyn Waghorn as a replacement and recruit an exceptional International midfielder in Yuki Abe.
Hopefully, the air has been cleared, and the players will start to take Sousa’s ideas full on board, the Portuguese certainly won round one. Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn has put his money where his mouth is and continues to see City as a “Top” Club, both literally and metaphorically.
So, the future could still be bright for Leicester, for Campbell it’ll only be orange.

Waghorn to Return to City

Transfer deadline day should bring some good news for Leicester City fans after a poor start to the season…

Today should finally see the departure of DJ Campbell to Blackpool, which will free up funds towards the £2m that Sunderland are asking for Martyn Waghorn. The Premier League side are, in turn, trying to raise money to offset the £8m needed to buy Asamoah Gyan from Rennes.
Waghorn was a huge hit with City fans last season, scoring 12 goals and showing a huge committment to the cause for a player who was here on loan from his home-town club.
It would also mean that Waghorn’s last kick of the ball for the club was not a missed penalty in a play-off semi shoot-out…

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DJ Campbell Heading for Blackpool

Dudley Junior Campbell will become a Blackpool player by tomorrow according to Sky Sports News.

After an incredibly long running saga a fee has finally been agreed for the reluctant City-striker who will begin his third spell at Bloomfield Road, this time in the Premier League.
The undisclosed fee is thought to be in the region of £1.2m, and will finally bring to an end to an unhappy chapter for player and club.

Coming through the in door is Wolves’ keeper Carl Ikeme who has signed a month long loan deal as cover while Chris Weale receovers from th eshoulder injury he suffered at Turf Moor.
Ikeme was the QPR keeper who gifted Martyn Waghorn a goal at Filbert Way last season with a duff clearance, though we are sure this was a one-off.

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Year Zero for Campbell

It appears that with a change of manager, DJ Campbell may have a future at Leicester City…

According to reports Leicester City have turned down a £1M bid from Blackpool for the striker who fell out of favour with Leicester almost from the start of his time with the club. The manager who bought him, Martin Allen, was soon on his way and Campbell never managed to perform in a City shirt after that.
However, his loan spell at Blackpool last season was hugely successful, with Campbell scoring 11 goals in 18 appearances as the Seasiders timed a late run through the play-offs and into the Premier League.
Goalscorers are the most precious commodity in the game and it would be foolish to let one slip through our fingers, despite some ill-judged quotes aimed at his paymasters in the past. 

Paulo Sousa is happy to wipe the slate clean:  ”The position is good for us. He is enjoying playing for the club. Everyone is happy with him and he is very happy with us. I don’t need to say any more.”

It would surely only take a couple of goals in a blue shirt from Dudley to get the Leicester public back on his side…

DJ Campbell came second in The FOX Summer Special ‘Villain of the Season’ Award.
To find out who he shared the podium with subscribe to The FOX:

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City Rock Blackpool

Blackpool 1:2 Leicester City

City won their first league game at Blackpool since 1937 on Saturday afternoon, with a goals from N’Guessan and Dyer capping a fine performance…

Nigel Pearson made just one change for this trip to the seaside with N’Guessan in for the suspended Wellens.
City had the first chance early on when a quickly taken throw in from Oakley caught out the Blackpool defence but Fryatt couldn’t beat Gilks from an acute angle. 
Blackpool then came close in the 12th minute when a rising shot from Dobbie out on the right was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Weale.
After this close call City took a 15th minute lead. Waghorn sent N’Guessan through with a superbly precise 40 yard pass and the Frenchman coolly steered the ball past the advancing Gilks and in at the far post.
Ian Holloway’s side pressed forward in search of an equaliser and Vaughan and Bannan both went close.
At the other end King’s half volley from 25 yards was tipped round the post by Gilks. From the resulting corner Hobbs was inches away from nodding the ball in at the far post.
Blackpool then had an incredible let off when a goalmouth scramble from another corner ended with Fryatt firing the ball goalwards from one yard. Smonehow it struck Baptiste on the leg and bounced clear.
City had another golden opportunity to stretch their lead early in the second half when a fine run and cross from N’Guessan on the right was met by Waghorn from 6 yards. The ball bounced off both Gilks’ legs before being hooked away by a defender.
As the action swung from one end to the other Dobbie made a run into the box but was foiled by Weale at the near post.  
As the half progressed Blackpool pressed forward and Southern’s header was tipped round the left hand post by Weale.
Soon after Weale was tipping the ball around the same post when a Dobbie volley from 25 yards almost crept in.
There were nervous times for City, but the tension was dispelled in the 78th minute when City doubled their lead. Gallagher won the ball in midfield and then sent Fryatt down the right. His slide rule cross was met by Dyer who beat Gilks from 6 yards. The City fans shook the temporary stand as they celebrated the three points, though there was still a nervy end to the game.
Blackpool found a way past Weale at last in the 89th minute, beating two men before finding the net with a low shot from the edge of the area.
Five minutes time added on fired up the home crowd and with seconds remaining Adam went down in the area after contact from N’Guessan and there were loud appeals for a penalty.
Fortunately for N’Guessan, who’d had his best game in a City shirt to date, the ref didn’t want to know – booking Adam for diving - and seconds later he blew the final whistle amid furious scenes.
This wasn’t City’s problem however. They had won at Bloomfield Road for the first time in 73 years and regained their place in the play-off frame with a fine performance.    
Nigel Pearson observed: “We needed to get back to winning ways. If we had a bit of good fortune before the end we were certainly due it.”

Blackpool: Gilks, Baptiste, Eardley, Crainey, Evatt (Demontagnac 74), Southern, Adam, Bannan (Burgess 44), Vaughan, Dobbie, Taylor-Fletcher. Subs Not Used: Edwards, Butler, Euell, Husband, Rachubka.
Leicester: Weale, Brown, Berner, Hobbs, Morrison, King, Oakley, Gallagher (Howard 87), Fryatt, N’Guessan (Bruce 89), Waghorn (Dyer 59). Subs Not Used: Logan, Neilson, McGivern, Verma.

Referee: A Haines (Tyne & Wear). Attendance: 8,484.

Leicester See Off Seasiders…

Leicester City 2:1 Blackpool

Two more goals for Matty Fryatt helped City see off a previously unbeaten Blackpool side at Filbert Way on Saturday afternoon…

This was an open and entertaining game with plenty of chances at both ends. Fryatt was denied early on by Rachubka, and the Blackpool keeper was soon called on again to save a header from Howard.
At the other end Southern’s effort struck the right hand upright and Weale saved as Euell pounced on the rebound. 
However, it was City who took a 24th minute lead. Howard was upended on the half way line and Wellens quickly stabbed the free-kick forward, catching the Blackpool defence cold. Fryatt ran clear, sweeping the ball past the advancing Rachubka.
City’s lead only last six minutes as Brown failed to get enough weight on a backpass to Weale and Adam nipped between them to snatch an equaliser for Ian Holloway’s side.
Holloway hadn’t quite been given the roasting that some had expected by the City fans, but he was kept on gas mark 4 by a section of the Kop.
Oakley almost sent City down the tunnel with the lead but his fierce free-kick found the top right hand corner of the goalframe.
The second half saw more chances for both sides with Oakley going close with a shot and Euell wasting a chance to put the visitors ahead.
City regained their lead in the 58th minute, Berner knocked a ball forward, an attempted clearance was missed and once again Fryatt found himself in on goal with only the keeper to beat, which he did for his 50th goal for the club.
Nigel Pearson made some changes after that with King on for Dyer; and Waghorn on for Howard who seemed rather reluctant to leave the field. 
City closed the game down well and restricted Blackpool to a couple of late chances, but the final whistle brought City’s first league win against this side in 43 years and moved us up to sixth place. 

Leicester: Weale, Brown, Berner, Hobbs, Neilson, Dyer (King 64), Oakley, Wellens, Fryatt (Gallagher 89), N’Guessan, Howard (Waghorn 73). Subs Not Used: Logan, Adams, Kermorgant, McGivern.
Blackpool: Rachubka, Edwards, Eardley, Crainey, Evatt, Southern (Vaughan 87), Adam, Emmanuel-Thomas, Euell (Bouazza 73), Ormerod (Clarke 73), Burgess. Subs Not Used: Baptiste, Bangura, Martin, Gilks.

Referee: J Singh (Middlesex). Attendance: 22,827.